Firedamp: How the Creation of a Play about a Disaster Rekindled Community in Coalhurst

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On December 9, 1997, the 62nd anniversary of the disaster, a readers' theatre presentation with slides served to educate the students in both schools about Coalhurst's past, and to let everyone know about the coming play. The "old-timers" came out and spent the afternoon visiting with students who got out of classes to take turns in the library. Johnny Walker showed pictures and told of the exploits of his youth and of some of the colourful characters he knew, like the fellow who had cycled across the rails of the High Level Bridge. Netti showed girls how to do the Charleston, and Oscar Odney, long-time Coalhurst entertainer and encyclopedia of popular music, sang old-time songs and had the kids join in. Someone walked in at one point and said, "Wow! There's a party going on here!" The groundwork had been laid.

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The evolution of the play was really quite remarkable. The 22 actors were cast and rehearsals began in February 1998. Every student willing to make the commitment received a role because, at this point, the play consisted of several drafts going in various directions with a multitude of possible characters. Only the first two scenes were finished. I explained to the actors and to my fellow directors that the scenes would be doled out as they were completed. In the later stages they were not even coming out in order. A common question became, "Do I get to live, or are you going to kill me off?" As it turned out this unorthodox process was the magical formula because as rehearsals progressed, each character was molded to the actor playing the role. Steven Dalton became Harry, the fireboss, and Harry became Steve. As the students' understanding grew, their characters developed richness and depth and began to speak on their own. The final scene was completed two weeks before the first performance.

The play chronicled the period from the fall of 1934 through to the spring of 1936. The characters were composite representations. Mary (Missy Klima), Teresa (Bella Plant), and Anna (Sherese Ambler), who open the play, represent all the immigrant women of Coalhurst; Tom (Jeff Hamilton) stands for all the young men of the time. A drama of this variety was a blockbuster for a school our size, and, as we have no real theatrical facility, very little equipment, and not much of a budget (the students' council underwrote the project), everything had to be rented, donated, or scrounged. Like a snowball the project gathered followers as it rolled. More and more people joined us and tent their support. Businesses gave their services: Jim Munro at Charlton & Hill Ltd. crafted miners' lunch pails, Lethbridge Custom Canvas made the caps for the miners, Casey Denhoed of Casey's Woodwork in Coalhurst framed the set, and the Walker family of Coalhurst Walkers' Transport donated a trailer, truck, and driver to move our massive set from venue to venue. The Coalhurst High School staff was fully involved, such as fellow teacher and assistant director, Diane Pommen; Wayne Youngward, who took charge of all the technical responsibilities, including his favourite task-blowing the mine; and Deb Woodcock, stage manager. Rose Roth, our secretary, as hair stylist deftly finger-waved the women, and her husband, Mel, our custodian, lent his tools and patiently kept up with our burgeoning mess. Joanne Siljak, our librarian, and Jill Carley handled promotions and program, Wayne Tate contributed his photography and video skills, and Sterling Paiha gave constant support. Carolyn Templeton, who had taught with us the previous year, came back to do the make-up, and student teacher, Christie Czech, stayed on after her round was over to help direct. Others sold tickets, T-shirts, pop, pins, and programs. Mike Homberger gave up his gymnasium and helped with the artistic design.

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Firedamp Cast

Excerpts from the Play

Author: Arlene Purcell has been a teacher for 21 years in Southern Alberta where she and her husband, Leighton, have raised two sons. She currently lives in Lethbridge and teaches language arts and drama at Coalhurst High School.